Child&#39;s convertible unit



Jan. 13,1942. E. G. WAGNER 2,269,834

CHILD S CONVERTIBLE UNIT Filed Jan. 22, 1940 Patented Jan. 13, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT Aori-ICE CHILDS CONVERTIBLE UNIT Edward G. Wagner, Dayton, Ohio Application January 22, 1940, Serial No.' 314,901

7 Claims.

This invention pertains to an article of furniture, peculiarly suitable for childrens use, and

which is readily adaptable to different purposes by mere change of position.

To render the present unit attractive to children, it is preferably, although not necessarily, contoured in the shape of an animal which may be made to stand, sit, or roll over on its back, to serve in the dilerent optionally selective positions as a still chair, a rocking chair, and as a step ladder upon which a child may stand to enable access to things otherwise out of reach.

The object of the invention is to provide a unitary convertible article of furniture, having no adjustable or relatively movable parts, which may not only be economically manufactured, but

is usable in different positions, and which will be strong and sturdy, safe, and not likely to be broken or become out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to combine in a single unitary structure the functions of a plurality of several otherwise independent devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unitary convertible unit readily usable in any one of three different positions.

A further object of the invention is to combine with a chair for childs use, a two step ladder on which the child may stand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a convertible unit possessing the advantageous structural features and inherent meritorious characteristics herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or Aillustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, wherein is shown a preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible unit embodying the present invention, the sides of which are contoured in simulationof two bears, which being shown-inA standing position enable the unit to be utilized as a still chair.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the unit, also of the bear motif, disposed in reverse position with the bears on their backs, in which position the unit serves as a rocking chair.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same unit positioned with the bear simulations sitting on their haunches, i-n which position the device functions as a two step ladder.

Fig. 4 is a, sectional View of the assembled unit.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are respectively detail sectional views of the unit embodying sides of geometrical design in its alternate positions of use as a step ladder, a still chair, and a rocking chair, respectively.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The present convertible unit comprises parallel relatively spaced side members l-l, which may be variously contoured in simulation of objects, persons, animals or abstract geometrical forms. Such side members, however, are so shaped as to afford aligned marginal bearings in right angle relation, and an arcuate bearing surface intermediate the extreme ends of the right'l angle alignments of marginal bearings.

Referring to Fig. 4, .the particular bear design illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the paws and nose of the bear contour are aligned on the line A-B so that the unit is supported thereon when in the position shown in Fig. l. In a similar manner, the haunches of the bear contour include bearing points coincident with the line A-C, upon which the unit is supported as shown in Fig. 3, the lines A--B and A-C tangent to the respective bearing points are at right angle to each other. The curved back of the bear intermediate the terminals B and C of the bearing lines alfords rockers for the unit when disposed as in Fig. 2.

Intermediate the contoured side pieces, of whatever shape they may be, and rigidly interconnecting the side members, is a pair of parallel offset relatively spaced panels 2 and 3 interconnected by a perpendicularly disposed panel 4.

When the unit is disposed with the bears in standing position, as in Fig. 1, such intermediate structure comprises a still chair, of which the panel 4 is the seat bottom, the panel 3 the seat back, and 2 a drop panel at the front of theseat. I

When the unit is reversed, as illustrated in Fig. 2, it rests upon the arcuate margins simulating the bears backs and functions as a rocking chair. In such position the medial panel 4 remains the seat bottom, but with its reverse side uppermost. The panel 2, which formed the drop panel of the still chair, now becomes the back of the rocking chair, while the former back 3 of the still chair becomes the drop panel of the front of the seat 4.

It is a matter of convenience to have a support on which a child may stand to wash its hands at the conventional wash stand or lavatory basin, or to afford access to things otherwise beyond reach. The present unit serves such purpose by resting it on end, whereby the bear simulations sit on their haunches, as shown in Fig. 3. In such disposition, the panels 2 and 3 become stair steps, with the riser panel 4 therebetween. Thus the unit is a step ladder of two steps range. However, no adjustment or shifting of parts is necessary. Due to the shape of the side pieces and disposition of the panels of the intermediate structure, any one of three operative positions are optionally selective by merely changing the position in which the unit rests.

While side pieces simulating bears have been shown. it is obvious that various shapes of other objects, animals, persons in grotesque form, or geometrical designs may be adopted. Figs. 5 to 7 illustrate a simple geometrical design disclosing the fundamentals of two right angle bearing margins 5 and B on which the unit may be alternately supported as a still chair and as a step ladder, and an arcuate bearing margin 'I intermediate the extreme ends of the right angle bearings 5 and 6 to serve as rockers.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific Ias to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A childs convertible unit usable in any one of three alternate positions to form respectively a rocking seat, a still seat, and a step ladder, including relatively spaced parallel contoured side members including alternate marginal bearings disposed in right angle intersecting lines and an arcuate marginal portion included intermediate the extreme ends of the right angle intersecting bearings, and a stepped structure intermediate the side members and connecting them one with the other comprising when in upright position of the unit a pair of parallel spaced steps of equal height and an intermediate riser, and when the unit is in either of alternate reverse recumbent positions comprising a seat, a back rest and a drop panel at the front of the seat, the construction and arrangement being such that the unit may interchangeably rest on either of the right angle bearing margins or on the arcuate margin.

2. A childs convertible unit wherein a pair of side members are shaped in the contours of an object, person, animal, or abstract form, including marginal bearings disposed in right angle intersecting lines, upon which the unit may be supported in alternate upright and recumbent position, and an arcuate marginal bearing portion intermediate the extreme ends of the right angle bearings, upon which the unit may be supported for rocking motion in a recumbent position and a structure intermediate the side member and connected therewith, usable alternately as a seat and as a step ladder.

3. A childs convertible unit comprising a pair of side members contoured in outline shape of an animal interchangeably positionable to rest on the feet, the haunches and the back of the animal, and an intermediate structure, including a pair of relatively offset parallel plane members and an intermediate plane member interconnecting the parallel members in a plane perpendicular thereto, and usable alternately as a reversible seat and as a two step stool, the construction and arrangement being such that when the unit is supported on the feet of the animal contoured side members it becomes a still chair, and when supported on the haunches of the animal it becomes a two step stool, `and when supported on the back of the animal it becomes a rocking chair.

4. A convertible chair and ladder unit positionable for use in any one of at least three positions, including parallel spaced side members, and equally spaced parallel steps intermediate the side members interconnecting the side members in relatively xed relation, optionally selectable aligned marginal bearings disposed in right angle relation and an arcuate marginal bearing upon the side members determinative of alternative upright positions of use of said side members so shaped and arranged as to optionally support the unit in alternate stationary upright or recumbent ypositions of rest and `for rocking motion when in reverse recumbent position.

5. In a convertible chair and ladder unit positionable for use in any one of at least three positions, parallel spaced side members, including dual aligned marginal supporting portions disposed in right angle lines on either of which the side members may be supported at rest in different positions of rotation in vertical planes, and an additional arcuate marginal portion upon which the side members may be supported for rocking motion in vertical planes, a pair of equally spaced parallel steps and `an intermediate riser interconnecting the side members in relatively fixed relation and duofunctionally usable as a seat in either of reverse positions, wherein the riser becomes the seat bottom and the steps alternately become the seat back according to the position of use.

6. In a convertible chair and ladder unit, a pair of relatively spaced parallel side members contoured in the outlines of a quadruped optionally positionable in any one of three different positions of rotation of the side members in vertical planes, a plurality of relatively spaced bearing protuberances formed by the marginal contours of the side members aligned and disposed in series in right angle relation upon each side member and determining diierent positions of rest of said unit, a pair of equally spaced parallel stair steps and an intermediate riser panel fixedly interconnecting the side members into a one-piece structure, the steps and riser being optionally usable in either one of two said optional positions of the quadruped as a seat of which the riser panel becomes the seat bottom and one or the other of the steps becomes the seat back, and additionally usable in a further optional position of the quadruped, wherein the steps comprise a ladder.

7. In a convertible childs seat and ladder unit, a pair of side members contoured in simulation of two bears standing upon their feet with their heads depressed as though eating from the ground and With their backs curved, the unit being supported upon the feet and nose of the bears which are disposed in aligned relation and having at least a portion of their haunches and their rear legs aligned upon a line substantially perpendicular to the alignment of their feet and nose, a structure interposed between and xedly interconnecting the side members, including a seat panel, a back panel, and a drop panel at the front of the seat, said unit being reversible wherein it will rest upon the curved backs of the bears and function as a rocking chair with the interposed structure serving as a seat with the saine seat panel but with the back and drop panels in alternate relation, and being further capable of use in position wherein the contoured side members rest upon the haunches of the bears and wherein the intermediate interconnecting structure serves as a two step ladder.

EDWARD G. WAGNER. 

